Glossary of Degree Levels

Subbaccalaureate awards less than 1 year - a program of study that is completed in more than 350 but less than 900 contact hours.

Subbaccalaureate awards at least 1 but less than 2 years - a program of study that is completed in at least 900 but less than 1,800 contact hours (or at least 30 credits but less than 60 credit hours).

Subbaccalaureate awards at least 2 but less than 4 years - a program of study that is completed in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 contact hours (or at least 60 credits but less than 120 credit hours).

Associate's Degree - an award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college-level work.

Bachelor's Degree - An award (baccalaureate) that normally requires at least 4 but not more than 5 years of full-time equivalent college-level work. Also includes bachelor's degrees in which the normal 4 years of work are completed in 3 years.

Post-baccalaureate Certificate - an award that requires completion of an organized program of study requiring 18 credit hours beyond the bachelor's; designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of master.

Master's Degree - an award that requires the successful completion of a program of study of generally one or two full-time academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Some of these degrees, such as those in Theology (M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were formerly classified as "first professional," may require more than two full-time academic years of work.

Post-Master's Certificate - an award that requires completion of an organized program of study of 24 credit hours beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Doctor's Degree - research/scholarship - a Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Public Health (D.P.H.), and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Doctor's Degree - professional practice - a doctor's degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time academic years. Degrees may include the following: